Of Hindu civilisation & its growing neglect among youth

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 8

Pawan K Varma, former Indian diplomat and Rajya Sabha MP, highlighted the prejudice that the history of Hindu civilisation has been facing, both internationally and in the country. He was in conversation with noted writer Advaita Kala in an online session organised by Majha House about his book ‘The Great Hindu Civilisation’ that traces the history and significance of the Hindu civilisation.

While talking about the book, Pawan said, “I strongly feel what India needs today is not Hindutva but Hindu-satya. The idea of the Hindu civilisation has been corrupted by vested parties so much so that it is barely recognisable from what it originally was,” he said.

Clarifying his stance about the past of India’s civilisation, Pawan said he was by no means eulogising everything that contributed towards the Indian culture. “There were many ill practices prevalent in the Hindu civilisation — caste system and gender disparity — to name a few. But today, women have gained much more respect for their work and contribution towards society and culture but there is still a gap that needs to be filled.”

His book presents the idea that many facts in regard to the Hindu civilisation, its practices, traditions and other aspects have been whitewashed. He also said divisive politics and hatred towards people of other religions has never been stronger than it is today. “The Mughals invaded India and plundered it; Nalanda was burnt; temples were razed to the ground. These are facts that cannot be ignored. But we must move on towards a path of peace and plurality. We cannot keep on clinging to the evil deeds done by them hundreds of years back and let politicians instil hate in our hearts. We have to revive the culture of brotherhood once again if we are to progress as a nation collectively,” he said.

He also said he felt disappointed that today’s youth not just lacks the knowledge about our glorious past but also has no curiosity to know about it. “They are not interested in knowing what the truth about our civilisation is. This is why the book is close to my heart. It is my inherent desire to revive interest in our civilisation, to make people aware of how great the Hindu civilisation was and how advanced it was. If I am able to do that I will consider my years of research fruitful,” he said.